Smollensky's on the Strand

Awful!!! we had a two course meal as part of our theatre experience and was given a totally different menu to all other customers, but didnt worry to much as the food coming out of the kitchen looked good.WE WERE WRONG our food was cheap and badly cooked in fact i actually felt like a second rate citizen and promptly complained to the waiter who told us the drinks were on the house and apologised without even consulting the manger! this makes me think that this happens on a regular basis. i cant vouch for the other diners but my husband and i were outraged and will never repeat our visit.
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mrs koster
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Walked along the strand in search of a steak and happened upon Smollenskys. Went downt he steps and was greated by a less than friendly front of house employee who seemed to think our request for a table not directly ontop of the over microphoned singer was a hassle.

The meal then continued where she had started. The calamaris and chicken skewers were average at best but for 2 starving big blokes they were better eaten rather than returned.

The mains, a premium cut steak and a 12oz Rib eye were both ordered medium. The premium was well done and cold along with cold fries & over cooked cold side of mushrooms. The Rib eye was rare to medium but also cold with luke warm fries and a cold side of steamed veg.

Staff did ask if we wanted it exchanged 3/4 the way through but again the hungar prevented this.

On the plus side they did remove the sides from the bill and did provide dessert FOC (and advised us not to choose the Strawberry tart as he had already received 3 complaints that night) so not all bad, but think it was too late to make us want to frequent Smollensky's in the future.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, August 08, 2007

There was a reason why this restaurant was near empty....My choice of the "Special" of the day - Red Snapper - with veg was an extremely disappointing choice. The fish had a worryingly fishy smell accompanied with a tough texture. The brocolli was overcooked. I can't stand a place that can't do decent veg. My friends' choices didn't look particualrly appetising either...With so many restaurant choices in the Covent Garden area why (oh why) of all places we had ended up here! Best avoided if possible!
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Ella - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, June 08, 2007

The food was over cooked, bad service, dirty toilets. Enough said!
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Ingrid
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, May 15, 2007

I've been in Smollensky's a couple of times, and quite enjoy the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the last time I went in there I asked for a Gibson - essentially a Gin Martini served with silverskin onions instead of olives - and they couldn't manage it. The excuse was that they didn't have the necessary cocktail onions.

Any self-respecting (real) cocktail bar worthy of the name would have been able to manage what was not, after all, an obscure request. This is an ordinary bar masquerading as a cocktail bar, I'm afraid.

If you're happy with a pint of lager or a G&T, no problem. If you're expecting a real cocktail bar, avoid.
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James Gibbon
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

well all i can say is having dined at the old smollenskys and the refitted ,i have to say it is not as sensational as it was .however the staff are still as courteous as ever and whilst the food is in line with other resteraunts in terms of pricing. i find it hard to believe what i have read from other eaters comments.the theme of the place is still good ,and as i manage bands ,i feel i am in a position to pass judgement on the entertainment which is more than satisfatory.try sunday evenings for a late bite to eat .i will be dining there tonight at 9pm 16.3.07 so i think thats say it all. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SMOLLENSKYS .
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teddy roberts
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 16, 2007

I was very dissapointed with my visit to Smollensky's last night.

My partner and I were out for a meal for her birthday, and w had been to Smollensky's a year or two ago, so were both looking forward to a return visit.

Maybe becaue it was a Sunday night... but the service was shoddy, even a little rude, I ordered steak which was tough, my partner's soup was so hot it arrived boliing and all in all we had one of the worst meals even in London.

A total waste of £70.50 which included a bottle of house White best suited to stripping paint
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Andy Trickett
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 26, 2007

I've been to this restaurant a couple of times before, but since then it has had a complete refurbishment. What a pity, what used to be a unique restaurant has turned into a bland, generic and formulaic one. That not only describes the decor, but very accurately describes the food, and you can also add to the list: overcooked (steak), overpriced (most dishes and drinks), stale (bread), and unhealthy (salads swimming in dressing).

Also worth mentioning, are the cacophonous acoustics, if you are looking for somewhere to relax, and you actually want to hold a conversation with your fellow diners, this isn't the place to come, if you needed another reason not to.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, February 26, 2007

This place used to have a very worn 'authentic' appearance and atmophere. We didn't realise it had been refurbished and updated. It hasn't changed for the better. The food was awful. Overpriced burgers with week ol guacamole. The salmon salad had 3 enormous chunks of pineapple slung in. There were children literally running amock and jumping on furniture all over the place. What with all the general noise, the singer and the unruly kids we could hardly hear ourselves. Our bill came to nearly £90 - we did have 2 bottles of wine, but still very expensive if you are taking children. Which is really the only reason you'd go here. It's more of a poor attempt at a TGI Fridays. Which is where i'll be going next time I want an American Grill.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 17, 2007

A great palce to take the kids to eat. The menus had plenty of choice for everyone, the waiter was spot on, the food turned up in good time (the waiter actually asked us if we wanted the kids food withour starters, usually we have to ask them) and they had a magician and clown there to entertain them. For once I did not mind the 12.5% service charge being added - they deserved it. We would thoroughly recommend this place to anyone.
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Iain Minns - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 04, 2007